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Dozens killed in Kenyan town after suspected Somali rebel attack Dozens killed in Kenyan town after suspected Somali rebel attack
(35 minutes later)
At least 26 people have been killed after insurgents flying black Islamist flags swept into a Kenyan coastal town firing indiscriminately, a local government official said Monday.At least 26 people have been killed after insurgents flying black Islamist flags swept into a Kenyan coastal town firing indiscriminately, a local government official said Monday.
"So far we have collected over 26 bodies and taken them to the mortuary, but we are still looking for more," Benson Maisori, deputy commissioner for the district, told AFP."So far we have collected over 26 bodies and taken them to the mortuary, but we are still looking for more," Benson Maisori, deputy commissioner for the district, told AFP.
The Red Cross, which said it had personnel on the ground, put the death toll at 34.
Gun battles began Sunday evening and continued into the early hours of Monday in the town of Mpeketoni.Gun battles began Sunday evening and continued into the early hours of Monday in the town of Mpeketoni.
The insurgents were reported to have been from Somalia's al-Qaida-linked Shebab rebels.The insurgents were reported to have been from Somalia's al-Qaida-linked Shebab rebels.
"There were around 50 attackers, heavily armed in three vehicles, and they were flying the Shebab flag," Maisori added, speaking from the town, where several buildings including hotels, restaurants, banks and government offices were razed to the ground."There were around 50 attackers, heavily armed in three vehicles, and they were flying the Shebab flag," Maisori added, speaking from the town, where several buildings including hotels, restaurants, banks and government offices were razed to the ground.
"They were shouting in Somali and shouting 'Allahu Akbar',' he added."They were shouting in Somali and shouting 'Allahu Akbar',' he added.
Cafes and bars were reportedly packed with people watching the World Cup on television when the gunmen attacked.Cafes and bars were reportedly packed with people watching the World Cup on television when the gunmen attacked.
The town of Mpeketoni, a trading centre on the main coastal road, lies on the mainland some 30km (20 miles) southwest of Lamu island, a popular tourist destination whose ancient architecture is listed as a Unesco World Heritage site.The town of Mpeketoni, a trading centre on the main coastal road, lies on the mainland some 30km (20 miles) southwest of Lamu island, a popular tourist destination whose ancient architecture is listed as a Unesco World Heritage site.
Kenyan army spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir described how the gunmen had stormed the town, overwhelming local police officers, and firing from vehicles "shooting people around in town".Kenyan army spokesman Major Emmanuel Chirchir described how the gunmen had stormed the town, overwhelming local police officers, and firing from vehicles "shooting people around in town".
Chirchir also said the attackers were "likely to be Shebab", although there was no immediate claim of responsibility from the Islamists themselves.Chirchir also said the attackers were "likely to be Shebab", although there was no immediate claim of responsibility from the Islamists themselves.
Attackers tried to storm a police post including an armoury, but Maisori said officers had defended the building and fought the gunmen off.Attackers tried to storm a police post including an armoury, but Maisori said officers had defended the building and fought the gunmen off.
It was the latest in a series of attacks or bombings to hit Kenya - most usually blamed on the Shebab or their supporters - but the reported scale and nature of this attack is rare.It was the latest in a series of attacks or bombings to hit Kenya - most usually blamed on the Shebab or their supporters - but the reported scale and nature of this attack is rare.
Kenyan troops crossed into southern Somalia in 2011 to fight the Shebab, later joining the now 22,000-strong African Union force battling the Islamists.Kenyan troops crossed into southern Somalia in 2011 to fight the Shebab, later joining the now 22,000-strong African Union force battling the Islamists.
The Shebab vowed revenge, carrying out attacks, including one on Nairobi's Westgate mall in September 2013 in which at least 67 people were killed.The Shebab vowed revenge, carrying out attacks, including one on Nairobi's Westgate mall in September 2013 in which at least 67 people were killed.